Wire tying machine



July 27, 1937. Q EVANS 2,088,133

WIRE TYING MACHINE Filed Dec.'3, 1932 1l Sheets-Sheet l wma ATTORN EY July 27, 1937. c. E. EVANS u 2,088,133

' WIRE TYING MACHINE Filed Deo. 3, 1932 l1 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY c. E. EVANS 2,088.,l33

WIRE TYING MACHINE Filed Dec. 5, 1932 11 Sheets-sheet 5 July 27, 1937.

M ORNEY July 27, 1937.

c. E. EVANS f WIRE TYING MACHINE lFiled Dec. 5, 1932 l1 Sheets-Sheet 4 fill ATTORNEY July 27, 1937.

c. E. EVANS WIRE TYING MACHINE Filed Deo. 3, 1932 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY WIRE TYING MACHINE Filed Dec. 3, 1932 11 Sheets-Sheet 6 ATTORNEY July 27, 1937. C, E, EVANS I 2,088,133

WIRE TYING MACHINE Filed Dec. 3, 1932 11 Sheets-Sheet 7 ATTORNEY c. E. EVANS WIRE 'rnNG MACHINE Filed Dec. 3, 1932 July 27, 1937.

141 sheets-sheet a ATTORNEY July 27, 1937. c. E. EVANS 2,088,133

WIRE TYING MACHINE Filed Dec. 5, 1932 11 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR HH/i155 E. EWI/v5 MJ ATTORNEY July 27, 1937. C, E, EVANS l 2,088,133

WIRE TYING MACHINE Filed Dec. 3. 1932 11 Sheets-Sheet 10 t MMO' 70 f 72 6 LT- T- 5 77 g INVENToR MR/.5 E. fun/v5 ATTORNEY July 27, 193.7. Q E. EVANS 2,088,133

WIRE TYING MACHINE Filed Dec. 3. 1932 ll Shee'b'S-Sheet ll ATTORNEY Patented July 27, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE WIRE TYING MACHINE Charles E. Evans, Seattle, Wash.

Application December 3, 1932, Serial No. 645,549

ze Claims.

This invention relates to bundle binding machines, and more particularly to machines of that class by which a required length of a metal band, strip or wire may be drawn from a spool, or supply roll, wrapped tightly and secured about la package, box or bundle of limited dimensions, then severed to release the wrapped bundle from the supply, while that end of the severed band leading from the supply remains gripped in the maof joining them by the twisting or tying opera-A tion as is the method employed in the Parker machine.

It is also. an object of this invention to provide a joint 0r,- weld that will lie flatlyagainst the face of the bundle regardless of whether it is a flat strip, or wire.

More specically stated, it is the object of the present invention to provide a bundle wrapping or binding machine comprising mechanism that is automatically operable to wrap a strip, band or wire, once about a package or bundle, to draw it taut with its ends in overlapped relation across a platen which is one terminal of an electric welding circuit; also comprising movable contacts connected to the other side of the welding circuit and automatically operable against the said overlapped parts of the band to close a welding circuit therethrough and thus join these parts permanently together.

It is also an object oi this invention to provide band grippers of no-vel form; one of which is 40 arranged to hold theend of the band during the wrapping operation and the other is arranged to be actuated to grip and hold the overlapping part of the band, at the end of a wrapping operation prior to the welding and band severing operation.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of novel means for lifting the bundle encirclingportion of the band clear of the path of the second gripper as itis functionally actuated to secure a hold on that part of the band leading directly to the supply.

Still another object of the invention resides in the provision of novel means for severing the ends of the band at opposite sides of the weld to release the bundle from the supply of bind- (Cl. 10U-31) ing material and ready for removal from the machine.

Another object resides in the provision of means operable with the band cutters for stripping the bundle securing band from the platen after welding.

Other objects reside in the details of construction of the various parts; in the means for actuating them in proper sequence andin their relationship and mode of operation.

In accomplishing these objects, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a bundle wrapping machine embodying the present invention, a part of the main frame and housing being broken away and shown in section for better illustration.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the band welding, gripping and cutting mechanism, with the cover plate removed from the housing of the latter for better disclosure of the contained mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the same, taken substantially on the line 3 3 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 3a is a cross sectional detail diagrammatically illustrating the open space between sections of the table top for passage of the binding band about a bundle for a wrapping operation.

Fig. 4 is a view, showing in longitudinal, vertical section, one of the band gripping, cutting and welding units.

Fig. 5 is a side view of one of the band separating pilots.

Fig. 6 is an inside elevation of the band welding contacts and mechanism directly associated therewith.

Fig. 7 is a sectional detail of one of the welding contacts.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the complemental parts of one of the band grippers.

Fig. 8a is a view illustrating an alternative form of gripper jaw.

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view on the line 9-8 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 10 is a cross section on the line lll-I0 in Fig. 3.

Fig 11 is a view illustrating the relationship in the setting on their actuating shaft of the actuating cams for the two welding contacts.

Fig-12 is a detail showing the relationship in the setting on their actuating shafts of cams' for actuating the grippers, band separating pilots and carriage which mounts the band cutters and stripper hook.

Fig. 13 is a detail, illustrating the wrapping of a band about a bundle and the overlapping of its ends beneath the platen for the welding opera tion.

Fig. 14 is a detail, illustrating the pivoting action of the gripper which holds the band end at the start of a wrapping operation.

Fig. 15 is a plan view of the main driving mechanism of the machine. v

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the starting and stopping mechanism.

Fig. 17 is a section taken on line i1-|1 in Fig. 15.

Fig. 18 is a view diagrammatically showing in elevation the position of the band and wrapping wheel at the start of an operation, and adjacent thereto, in plan view, the relative positions of the band grippers, cutters and band separating pilots at the start of the same wrapping operation.

Figs. 19, 20, 21 and 22 are similar illustrations of the same parts, in their relative positions during a bundle wrapping operation.

Fig. 23 is a view of the parts in the position following the welding operation and during the band cutting operation.

Fig. 24 illustrates the disposition of overlapped portions of a wire band` used for wrapping a bundle.

Fig. 25 illustrates how the band of Fig. 24 flattens itself against the bundle when released.

Briey described, the present machine embodies mechanism operable to draw off a required length of metallic band, wire or strip from i a source of supply, wrap it tightly about a bundle, box, package, or the like, of limited size, then join overlapped portions of the band in a welded joint and finally sever the band to release the wrapped bundle. Preparatory to a bundle wrapping operation, the band, wire or strip is extended from a source of supply,

vthrough suitable tension producing means, over slack take up sheaves, then about guide rolls on a `wrapping element in the form of a rotatably movable ring gear encircling the bundle to be wrapped, and thence to a gripper at one side of a welding platen. The ring, incident to its rotation, pays out the band therefrom, as drawn from the supply, and wraps it tightly about the bundle. 'Ihe extent of travel of the ring is such as to carry the band to a position at which portions thereof will be overlapped across the welding platen, then a second gripper, at the other side of the platen grips and holds the overlapping portion of the band while welding contacts are actuated thereagainst to spot weld the overlapped parts together. Following this welding operation, the band is cut oi closely at opposite sides of the weld but within the grippers, thereby freeing the band for stripping from the welding platen and releasing the bundle for removal from the machine, but the end of the band from the source of supply is retained by the second gripper preparatory to the next bundle wrapping operation, for which the ring is then reversed in its direction of rotation.

The lmachine is set in motion for a wrapping `operation by manual actuation of a starting pedal, but it is automatically stopped `at the `end package B is placed for wrapping. An upper frame structure 3, rigid relative to the base structure, extends above the table 2 and is provided with an. opening 3a within which the bundle is located for wrapping and, if such is desired, an adjustable abutment 4 may be employed, as seen in Fig. l, as a means for locating the bundle centrally over the welding apparatus.

Rotatably supported by the frame structure of the machine to encircle the opening 3a and bundle B is the ring gear R supported by a plurality of spaced guide rollers 6 journaled, as seen in Fig. 1, on studs B' fixed on the frame structure both above and below the table 2.

In accordance with the operation of this machine, a metallic band, strip or wire S is drawn from a supply spool, not shown, threaded through tension producing means 1, then is Wrapped several times about slack take up sheaves 8 and 9, then extended across a guide sheave I0 and from the latter is passed first over a guide sheave i2 mounted by a stud I2 iixed in the frame 3 centrally over the ring gear R, then onto the ring gear about grooved guide rollers i3 that are mounted thereon at regularly spaced intervals by studs I3. At one side, the ring gear has two grooved guide rollers iI--H' mounted thereon in close relation by studs Ha and the band S passes from the ring gear between these rollers to the gripper G or G2; the

operating arrangement being such that upon rotation of the ring, the band S will be drawn from the supply and will feed from between the rollers H-H' as lt is thereby Wrapped about the bundle.

The table top comprises two spaced sections 2a and 2b as seen in Fig. 3a, providing an open space s between them substantially inthe plane of the binding band as carried on the ring gear so as to permit passage of the band about the bundle which, for wrapping, is placed across this open space.

The grippers G and (33 are located beneath the table 2 at opposite sides of a platen P which is centrally disposed relative to the ring and flush with the table top. Since the ring gear R, in each cycle of operation, is caused to rotate approximately ninety degrees more than one complete circle, it is apparent that, starting with one end of the band heid in gripper G, at one side of the platen, and the ring rotating clockwise, the band will be wrapped once about the bundle and then drawn taut with parts in overlapped relation beneath the platen. The mode of operation of this machine, as will presently be understood, provides that for one complete cycle of operation, the ring R will be rotated in one direction, then for the next cycle of operation, it will be rotated in the opposite direction. In either instance, opposite ends of the bundle binding length will be overlapped beneath the welding platen.

The tensioning means 'l may be of any suitable character whereby a desired tension may be maintained on that length of the band extending about the ring to the gripped end, and the slack take up means is such as to keep the band taut about the ring gear, especially at the time of reversal' toward sheave l0 on a guide rod I6 supported by the main frame I. A coiled spring i1 is attached to the frame and to the slideto pull the sheave 9 away from sheave 8 thus to maintain the band, which is wrapped about the sheaves 8 and `8, under tension. When slack occurs in the band S at the start of each wrapping operation, as presently understood, it is taken up by the downward travel of the sheave 9 under pull of spring i1. i

The means provided for driving the ring gear and whereby its direction of rotation will be reversed for successive wrapping operations, is illustrated in Figs. 1, and 16, wherein 28 designates an electric driving motor operatively connected by means of a sprocket chain belt 2l with a clutch driving shaft 22; the belt 'passing about sprocket wheels 23 and 24 fixed on the motor shaft 25 and shaft 22, respectively. Shaft 22, through the mediacy of a suitable clutch mechanism 26 drives a shaft 21 equipped with a gear 28 in driving mesh with a larger gear wheel 29 on a cross shaft 30. Shaft 30 in turn has a small gear 3l keyed thereon in driving mesh with av large gear wheel 32 on across shaft 33. Thus, through this gear connection, the wheel 32 will be rotated by the motor at a reduced speed. s

Operating in driving mesh with the ring gear R is its driving gear wheel 34 that is fixed on a cross shaft 35 driven by a gear wheel 36 keyed thereto. Gear 36 in turn is driven by a. gear 31 fixed on a supporting shaft 38, and this is driven by a gear 39 xed thereto. A gear toothed segment, 4l), supported by a pivot 4l, meshes with gear 39 and a link 42 is pivotally connected at one end to the segment as at 43 and pivotally connected eccentrically to gear 32, as at 44, so that rotation of gear 32 will cause an oscillatory movement of the segment and this, through the gearing provided will cause rotary movements of the ring gear. It is apparent that for one direction of oscillation of the segment 40, the ring R will be rotated in one direction, and that for its travel in the opposite direction, the ring will be rotated in a reverse direction; the ratio of the various gears in this instance being such that the travely of the ring gear in each direction will be approximately one and one-fourth turns, and at each limit of its travel, the guide rollers l4-I4' will be substantially in alinement horizontally with the grippers G or G2, as will be observed by reference to Figs. 18 and 21 which respectively, show the position of the ring R at the start and finish of a wrapping operation.

To control the starting of the machine, I provide a shifting yoke 45 for the movable element 26 of clutch 26. This yoke is xed on a rocker shaft 46 rotatably supported in the machine frame transversely'below the shafts 21 and 30. Fastened rigidly to the shaft 46 is an upwardly directed arm 41 and this is connected at its end by a link 48 with a rocker arm 48 xed on a cross shaft 50 rotatably mounted in the main frame. A foot pedal 5l is fastened. to shaft 50 and this extends to the back of the machine. Also there is a foot pedal 52 at the front of the machine extending from a supporting pivot shaft 53. This latter pedal has a crank arm 54 ex tended downwardly therefrom connected by a link 55 with a lever arm 56 fixed to and extending upwardly from cross shaft 58. Thus, the arrangement provides that by downward pressure of either foot pedal .5I or 52 the rock shaft 50 will be actuated to shift the clutch element 26' for starting the machine by reason of its thus y effecting a driving connection between the shafts.

22 and 21. s

For automatically stopping the machine at the end of each cycle of operation, a trip dog 58 is mounted on the end of the rocker shaft 46 as seen in Fig. 16, and this dog has an inclined cam surface 59 arranged to be engaged by an oppositely inclined surface of one of two cams 60 fastened at diametrically opposite points of a wheel 6I xed on the shaft 33. The wheel 6 I, as presently understood, rotates one-half turn for each cycle of operation and the cams 6D are so located that one of them engages the dog 58 at the end of each cycle, thereby to rock the dog outwardly and thus, through the mediacy of the rocker shaft 46, throw the yoke 45 forwardlyl to disengage the driving clutch.

It will be mentioned here 4that the travel of the machine, after engagement of a cam 6l) with the dog 58 'is just enough to carry the cam past the dog, thereby removing the possibility of its interfering with the manual setting of the clutch in starting the next wrapping operation.

Coincident with release of the clutch mechanism, a brake is applied to step the machine. The brake mechanism consists of a brake drum 63 fixed on shaft 21 and a brake band 64 applied thereto, and supported from the machine frame. The brake band is tightened to apply the brake by the shifting of a lever 65 which is pivotally connected to the yoke 45, as at 66 in Fig. 16, so that incident to these forward and reverse swinging movements of the yoke, which, respectively, set and release the clutch, the brake will be released, or will be set simultaneously therewith.

The band grippers G and G2, the band cutters, release devices and their actuating mechanisms, presently described in detail, are contained within a housing 10 located beneath the table 2 and in central alinement with the axial line of the ring R as shown in Fig. 1. housing, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3, is a housing 1l which mounts the welding platen P, the movable welding contacts, and their actuating devices presently described. The two housings 1li- 1| are spaced, as are the two sections of the table top, to provide an open passage between them for 'the passage of the band S in wrapping it about a bundle and for the release of the band for removal of the wrapped bundle from the machine.

The platen P is a suitablemetallic plate securely fastened across the top of housing 1I in the central longitudinal line of the machine, and with its top surface flush with the table top. This platen, preferably ofv copper, is insulated from the housing'which mounts it and also from the machine and is connected with one side of' an electric circuit of a character suitable for welding. As seen in plan View in Fig. 2, a wire 12` from one side of the circuit is connected by a binding. screw 13 to the platen. Also, it will be observed that the end of the platen extends beyond the inner face of the housing 1| and across the open space between the two housings 18 and 1 I.

The operative movements of the band grippers G and G2 and the various mechanisms associated therewith, aswell as the operation of the moval ble welding contacts, is directly under control of the machine driving mechanism, and the functional operations of these parts take place after the ring gear R has completed the wrapping operation and practically has come to rest following this operation.

A shaft 15 operatively connects the mechanism contained in hcusing 13 with the main driving mechanism as seen in Figs. 1 and l5. This shaft is supported in bearings 16 provided therefor in Spaced slightly from thisv the opposite side walls of the housing 10, and its opposite ends extendIrom the housing; one end being equipped with a squared head 15' for reception of a wrench for manual operation of the mechanism and the other end is'supported in a .bearing 'I1 in the main frame, as seen in Fig. 1.

A shaft 18 likewise is provided for actuation of the mechanism contained in housing 'll and this is disposed parallel with shaft 'I5 and is rotatably supported in bearings in the wall of housing 1| with its ends extended from the housing as in Fig. 2; one end having a squared head 18' for reception-of a wrench or crank for manual operation or adjustment. These two driving shafts 15 and 1B are located above and at right angles to the direction of driven shaft 33, and at their ends are equipped with bevel driving gears 19 and 80 meshing respectively with driven gears 8| and B2 keyedon a supporting shaft 83 that is rotatably mounted in the main frame structure, parallel with and above shaft 33 as will be observed by reference to Figs. 1 and 15. The gear wheels '19 and 8| are of the same size and also gears 80 und 82 are of the same size, therefore, the shafts 15 and 18 will rotate in unison and the particular arrangement of gears provides that they will rotate in the same direction.

By reason of the fact that the ring gear R carries the band S about the bundle, and that the welding and cutting operations must not take place until the band has been overlapped beneath the platen, the gear wheels 8| and 82 which control these latter operations are rotated only during the nal travel of the ring gear 32 in each cycle of operation. It is understood that the ring gear R. is caused to rotate in opposite directions for successive operations by'the oscillating action of geared segment 40 which, in turn is actuated by the connecting rod I2 attached eccentrically to wheel 82. Gear wheel 82 is stopped at the end of each cycle in a position at which the point of connection Il, of link I2 will be just slightly beyond dead center line drawn through centers of shafts 83 and pivot I3. Thus, for each operation, the segment 40 will be swung from one extreme to the other and although the welding operation takes place during iinal travel of the driving gear 32, there is at this time practically no movement of the segment l or the ring gear R on the band S by reason of the fact that the point of connection of link 42 )with wheel 32 is then nearing and passing across dead center line at substantially a right angle thereto, as will be understood by reference to Fig. 1.

The means for rotating the gear wheels 8| and l2 comprises a pair of toothed cam wheels 85 and 80 fixed in close relation on the shaft 33, as seen in Figs. l and 15. Each wheel is provided, at diametrically opposite points, with extending teeth advanced relative to the other so that, in accordance with the direction of rotation, the teeth 85' and 85' of wheel 85 will be slightly ahead of those 88 and 86 of wheel 86. Fixed on the inner face of gear wheel 8| at diametrically opposite points, are rollers 88-88'. Likewise mounted on the inner iace of gear wheel 82 are rollers 89-80'; the rollers of one wheel being alined at right angles to those of the other as observed by reference to Fig. l'I.

At the start of a wrapping operation, the relationship of the teeth 85-86 of wheels 85-88 is that shown in Fig. 1 and the direction olf-rotation of the wheels is designated by the arrow placed thereon. Therefore, since the wheels rotate but one-half turn for an operation, the action of gears 8| and 82 under influence of the teeth 85' and 8G will take place during the nal movement of the wheels, and the de sign of the teeth 85-86' is such and location of rollers so determined that the gear wheels will be turned exactly one-half revolution to actuate their shaftsand 18 accordingly andv this causes the operative movements of the grippers, slides, weldingcontacts, cutters and stripper to occur in proper sequence.

Each gripper, G and G2, comprises two complemental portions 90 and 9|; the part 80 consists of an anvil that is Aaxially rotatably supported by-v a mounting shank 90 in the inner vertical face of the housing 1| to extend therefrom at one side of the welding platen P, and the part 9| is a tubular jaw slidably mounted in a carriage 93 in axial alinemcnt with part 90 and reciprocally movable lengthwise in its mounting from and toward the latter. At its end the anvil 90 has a V-shaped notch 92 cut therein, as seen in Fig. 8, with the side walls of the notch in vertical planes and those portions at opposite sides of the notch terminating in sharpened edges 92" serving as gripper teeth. 'Ihe outer end of the sliding gripper jaw 9| is beveled ofi' at opposite sides, as at 95, to t within the notch 92 of part 90 and this end has a V-shaped notch 96, terminating at its base in a horizontal slit 91 of such depth and width asto snugly seat the band S therein, when the jaw is applied against the band.

The gripper jaws SII-9| are disposed parallel to each other and are symmetrically disposed at opposite sides of the central, longitudinal line o'f the platen P, and are slidably tted in sub stantial bearing portions 83 provided at opposite side edges of the carriage 83.

In an alternative construction, shown in Fig. 8a, opposite faces of the gripper jaw 9| are out away as at 9|.r to permit of a closer lying together of the overlapped portions of the band and permit of easier clamping of these parts together for the welding operation. This will be understood by reference to Fig. 13.

The carriage 93 in which the gripper slides 9|9| are mounted, is reciprocally movable in the frame 10 in parallel guideways 98, as seen in Fig. 10, from and toward the housing 1|; however, the parts ill- 9| are movable lengthwise independently of the carriage and also are movable independently of each other. The actuating means for the gripper slides or jaws 9|8| comprises cam levers 99-99 pivotally supported at their lower ends on a cross shaft |00 mounted in housing 10, and pivotally connected at their upper ends, respectively, as presently described to the outer ends of the slides in a type of connection whereby forward or rearward swinging of the levers will eiect a corresponding shifting movement of the slides. The slides 9|9| also are axially revoluble in the carriage as are also the parts 90--90 to permit rotation of each gripper about its axis while gripping the end of band S. As seen-best in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the levers 95-99 have yokes 99a at their upper ends embracing blocks |0| mounted freely on the slides between thrust bearings |02 and securing nuts |03 threaded onto the ends of the slides. Pin and slot connections, as at |04, join the yoke ends of the levers with the blocks |0| of their respective gripper jaws to provide operative connections for are under control of coiled springs |08-|08' attached to the levers, respectively, and to the housing, as seen in Fig. 2 to pull the levers forwardly against the action of cams IDS-|09 fixed on shaft 15. These cams engage cam rollers IIIi-I IJ' on the levers to actuate the latter outwardly against the pull of the springs. The cams |09-I09' are alike in form but are oppositely arranged on the shaft so that when one lever is retained in its outer position at which its gripper slide is retracted to open the gripper, the other is actuated inwardly, and vice versa. Each cam, as seen in Figs. 4 and 12, has a sui'- face I09a of uniform radius extending through an arc of one hundred eighty degrees, then rounding at its ends into a surface |0919 of a greater radius and extending through an arc of approximately one hundred forty degrees. When the surface of greater radius of either cam engages its respective cam roller, the lever mounting the roller will be actuated outwardly to move the gripper slide accordingly and thereby open the gripper. Likewise, when the roller passes onto the surface of lesser radius, the lever swings inwardly, thereby moving the gripper slides inwardly to gripping position. The setting of the cams as seen in Fig. l2, provides a very short interval of time during the cycle of operation that both cam rollers will be on the cam surfaces of lesser radius, and therefore both grippers will be closed; this being the period during which the overlapped sections of the band S will be gripped and held during the welding operation.

To better explain the operation, it will be assumed that the end of band S has been threaded through the tension means 1, then wound about the various slack take up and .guide rollers, then onto the guide rollers I3 on the ring R as shown in Figs. 1 and 18, then passed about roller I4' and secured in gripper G by applying the end of the band to the slot 91 at the base of the V-shaped notch in slide 9| and by then rotating the cam shaft 15 to a position at which cam |09 will actuate the jaw 9| inwardly to cause the band edges to be gripped and held by the sharp edges 92 of the parts at opposite sides of notch 92 in anvil 90; the relationship of these grippers for this position of the ring R being illustrated at the right in Fig. 18. Then, in starting the cycle of operation the ring R rotates clockwise and the attached endi of the band swings radially about gripper G through the position seen in Fig. 19, then on about the bundle B through position of Fig. 20. to position of Fig. 21 at which position the band has been overlapped below gripper G and platen P and is drawn directly between the complemental parts 90-9I of the gripper G2 which at this time are, by reason of the setting of cam |09, disengaged. When the band S is in this latter position, the jaw 9| of gripper G2 is actuated inwardly by cam |09 to grip that run of the band S between the platen and ring gear so that both end portions of the band overlapped beneath the platen willbe rmly gripped and held for the welding operation, as observed in the right hand view of Fig. 21.

It is required however, that prior to the inward action of the jaw 9| of gripper G2, that the upper portion of the overlapped sections of the band, being that designated at b in Fig. 13,'be

lifted out' of the way of the gripper, otherwise it also would be directly in line with the gripper jaw as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 13, and would be gripped along with the lower section. For this band lifting operation I have provided a separator slide, or pilot |20 slidably mounted in the frame 10, in the guideway 98, along side of the carriage 93 as seen in cross section in Figs. 9 and 10. This pilot has a tapered forward end that is adapted, incident to forward projection of the, pilot, to enter between the overlapped setions of the band just at the outside of the gripper G2 to lift the upper section by clear of the path of travel of the movable gripper jaw 9|. This pilot |20 or separator is shown in functional position in Fig. 13.

It will here be explained that there is a similar separator, or pilot, |20 associated in a like manner with the gripper G and functionally operable when the wrapping operation is by a counterclockwise operation of the ring R; that is, when the end of the band is held by gripper G2. This latter pilot |20' is shown in Fig. 13, but functions only when the wrapping operation starts with the end of the band S held in gripper G2- The separator slides |20 and |20 are of the. type best shown in Figs. 1 and 5. Each is a straight bar of square cross section, slidably contained in the guideways 98 provided therefor in the carriage 93. The forward ends of these slides y'are beveled downwardly as at |2| to a point for easy entrance betweenl the overlapped sections of the band. The beveled surface is such that the upper section of the band will be lifted as the slide is projected thereagainst. Each separator slide is functionally actuated incident to the functional actuation of its corresponding gripper jaw 9|, but with a faster and farther movement. Normally, or when a gripper jaw 9| is retracted to a. position clear of the path of the band S in the wrapping/operation, the pilot also will be retracted to a corresponding extent.

As best shown in Fig. 3, each separator or pilot has an actuating bell crank lever |22 pivotally mounted on a supporting stud |24 mounted on the side walls of housing rearwardly of the cross shaft 15. At their upper ends these levers |22 have pin and slot connections, asat |25, with their respective pilots or slides |20' so that forward or rearward action of the levers will cause a like action of the pilots. At their lower ends each bell crank lever has a short rearwardly extending lever arm |26 connected by a link |21 with an arm |28 of its corresponding clutch slide actuating lever 99. Therefore when either lever 99 is actuated forwardly to extend its gripper jaw 9| it will, as noted by reference to Fig. 3, at the same time actuate the corresponding pilot |20 forwardly, but by reason of the shorter length of lever arm |26, the pilot |20 will be caused to move faster and in advance of the gripper slide to vlift the binding strip b out of the path of the gripper slide so that only that portion extended to the ring gear will be gripped by the closing of the gripper members 90-9I together.

It will be explained here that, when a jaw 9| is extended, it receives the band S in the V- shaped end notch 96 and this guides it edgewise into slot 91, then as the slide 9| enters the V- shaped notch of part 90 the sharp edges 92" 4bite into the edges of the band to hold it securely against slippage in the gripper.

During the interval of time that both ends of the' band are gripped and held overlapping across the platen, they are pressed firmly together and welded. 'I'he welding operation is effected by the mechanism contained in housing 1| and is actuated in synchronism with the operations of the grippers by the rotation of shaft 18 as will be understood by reference to Figs. 3 and 4.

Ibr the welding operation, I employ two contacts arranged to be successively brought up against the band to make welds that are spaced lengthwise of the band. The welding elements consist of levers or brackets lill-|50' pivotally supported by pins ISI mounted in housing 1| at opposite sides of the platen. At the swinging end of each lever is a welding point or contact Il! mounted in a lug Il! on the lever. Each contact, as seen in Fig. '1, has a threaded mount` ing shank |3211 extended through the lug and held by a nut |34. 'I'he upper ends of the contacts are tapered to fiat points |35, and the location of these levers is such that when they are swung upwardly from the full line position of Fig. 4, to the dotted line position this will bring the contact -points against the lower run of the overlapped parts of band S directly beneath the platen so as to effect the welding operation.

`In order that the overlapped sections of the band S will be held tightly together and also i y essed tightly against the platen for the weldng operation, I have provided each of the levers lill-|30' with a presser pin |40 that extends upwardly therefrom at the outside of and somewhat lbeyond the contact. Each pin is slidably mounted in .a bore,l |4| in its lever as seen in Fig. 7, and is pressed upwardly by a coiled spring |42 contained in the lower portion of the bore. A head |40 on the lower lend of the pin limits its upward travel and serves as a base against which the spring may press. A yplug |43 retains the spring in the bore. The presser pins are so arranged that, when the levers swing upwardly for the welding operation, their upper ends engage withy the lower section of the band andlift it up tightly against the upper section and both are pressed tightly together and held firmly against the platen. Then when the contacts engage the band, a circuit will `beclosed to spot weld the overlapped sections together.

It will be stated here that'the contact actuating levers |30 are well insulated in any suitable manner from the housing and each has a circuit connection |45 leading thereto. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the circuit connections are attached to the sides of the levers by bolts |45 land the connecting means is sufficiently flexible as not to interfere with their swinging action.

'Ihe means provided for actuating the contact mounting levers IIb-|30' is shown in4 Figs. 3 and 15. Mounted in`the housing 1| are cam levers |48-|45 pivotally supported by pivots |45.

These levers are connected at their upper ends r by links INI-|50 with the levers IIB-|35' respectively. Mounted on each lever is a cam roller |5| and these are engaged, respectively, by cams |52-|52 fixed on the shaft 1l. Each cam is uniformly circular except at diametrically opposite sides each is provided with recesses |53-I53 into which its rollers may drop when they come into registration. At their lower ends the levers have blocks |56 pivotally attached thereto through which guide bolts |51 are extended. 'I'hese bolts have ends fixed in the housing 1| and at their other ends they mount coiled springs |58 which press against the ,blocks to urge the cam rollers against their respective cams. The design of the cams |52-I52' is such that they normally retainthcam levers at positions whereby the welding contacts are held retracted:

that is, swung downwardly and away from the platen, as shown in Fig. 4, at which positions they are clear of the path of travel of the band B as it,is wrapped about a bundle. However, when theV cams, during rotation, passthrough these positions at which their cam rollers may drop into the cam'recesses |53, the springs |55 will actuate the cam levers to swing the welding contacts upwardly and against the band S for the welding operation, but this period of contact for welding is only momentary as the cams stop rotation in the position 'shown in Fig. 1l, thereby retaining the contacts in retracted position.

By proper setting of the cams |52|52 on the shaft 18. this welding operation will be caused to take place immediately following the overlapping of the band across the platen P. Also, by advancing one cam slightly with respect tov the other, one contact may be caused to operate in advance of the other.

Immediately following the band welding operation, the ends of the band at opposite sides of the weld and at the inside of the grippers G and G2 are severed to free the bundle for removal from the machine. This band cutting means consists of shearing points IE5-|65' mounted by the carriage 93 and extending forwardly therefrom closely adjacent the inside surfaces of the gripper jaws as seen in Fig. 2, and also as shown in the diagrammatic views of Figs. 18 and 23.

The carriage 93, which is slidably mounted in the main frame for movement toward and from the housing 1| is actuated in synchronism with action of the welding contacts by a cam |1l that is fixed on shaft 15. This cam is circular except that it is provided at diametrically opposite sides with humps I1|-|1|' which are adapted to act against a cam roller |12 mounted `by a stud |15 on a lever arm |14 fixed on a, cross shaft |15 supported in the housing 10 parallel with and below shaft 15. OnA shaft |15 there is also mounted a toothed segment |16 meshing with rack teeth |11 on the under side of the carriage. A coiled spring |14 is attached to the arm |14 and to the housing 10 to pull the carriage outwardly thereby to retract the cutters to the position of Fig. 2. This outward travel of the carriage is limited by contact of the segment with a post |45 mounted adjustably in the rear wall of the housing as seen in Fig. 3. Forward travel of the carriage is effected by rotation of the shaft 15 and cam |10; it being apparent that as a hump |1| or |1| of the cam-'|10 engages with the cam roller |12 the lever |14 will be actuated forwardly and. this will swing the geared segment |15 forwardly, thereby moving the carriage accordingly. As the carriage moves forwardly, the cutters IGS-|' engage with the end of the band secured in gripper G and also with that portion secured in gripper G2 to cut the band at the inside of the grippers and outside the weld, thus freeing the bundle from the band. To prevent rotation of the grippers during this cutting operation, the carriage is provided at its forward edge with slots |11 directly above the sliding jaws, and pins or studs 11a extend from the jaws, as seen in Figs. 4 and 8. Thus, when the carriage moves forwardly for the band cutting operation, the studs are received in these slots and the jaws are thereby held against rotative action.

After the band has been'secured about the bundle, it still underlaps the platen and must be pulled therefrom in order for removal of the bundle from the machine. For removal of the band from beneath the platen, I provide a stripper which is in the form of a downwardly yieldable hook |82 that is attached centrally to the carriage to extend forwardly therefrom. When'the carriage moves forwardly for the shearing action, the hook yields beneath that portion of the band beneath the platen and then when the carriage moves outwardly immediately following the shearing of the band ends, the hook engages the band and strips it from beneath the platen, thus freeing the bundle for removal from the machine.

On return movement of the carriage, the'gripper jaw which held the end of the band, retracts to an open position, but the other gripper which held that part of the band leading directly to the ring R retains its hold on the band in readiness for the next wrapping operation; this action being due to the setting of the cams U19-|09 on shaft 15. The mode of operation of this machine provides that if an operation starts with the band held in gripper G, the next operation will start with the band held by gripper G2 and vice versa.

By reference to Fig. 19 it will be observed that the end of the band S is held in gripper G, and it will be understood that when the cutters advance and clip the band after the welding op-a eration, there will be a short piece of band left in the gripper jaw slot 9'|. Therefore, in order to remove such pieces left in either gripper jaw, and avoid any interference therefrom in the next gripping action, I have provided a knockout rod |90 within each gripper slide. These rods are slidably fitted inside of the tubular gripper slides and are fixed at their outer ends to the outer end walls of the housings as seen in Fig. 4. The inner ends of the rods terr' .inate within the slides when the latter are extended into gripping position, but when the slides are retracted, after an operation, as to the position of Fig. 4, they move inwardly along the rods and the severed pieces of band contained in the slot are ejected by contact with the rod end.

Assuming that the various parts are so constructed and are assembled as described, and that the motor is in operation and that a bundle has been placed in position as in Figs. 1 and 3a, the Wrapping operation is yas follows:

Starting with parts as shown in Figs. 1 and 18 with the binding band S drawn off from the supply, threaded through the tensioning means 1, wound about the slack take up sheaves 8 and 9, then extended over guide sheaves ||l and I2, then about the guide rollers I3 on ring R and passed between rollers ||||4 to gripper G; the end of the band being secured by hooking its end portion in the slot 91 of the gripper jaw 9|.

It will here be stated that, if it is necessary,

the gripper may be opened manually by apply-` ing a wrench or crank device to the end of shaft and thereby rotating the shaft to a -position at which the cam |09 will act on lever |22 to retract the gripper slide to open position for application of the end of band S to the slot 91. Then by further rotation, the gripper slide will be actuated forwardly to cause the cooperating parts 90-9I to grip and retain the end of the band as shown in Fig. 18.

To start the wrapping operation, either foot pedal 5| or 52 is depressed and this by setting clutch 26 and releasing the brake band 64 sets the driving mechanism in operation to cause the ring gear R to rotate in a clockwise direction thereby carrying the band S around the bundle as will be observed by reference to the diagrammatic views of Figs. 19, and 22, and bringing sections of the band in overlapped relation across the underside of the platen P, as in Fig. 13.

During the final rotative travel of the ring gear R, and while the run of the band from the ring gear is drawn directly across the path of travel of the open gripper G2 the shafts 15 and 18 are set in motion by action of cam wheels 85--86 on gears 8| and 82. Rotation of shaft 15, and cams |89 causes an action of lever whereby the pilot slides |20-I20 are projected to lift the upper section of the band out of the path of travel of the -forwardly moving gripper slide 9|, which subsequently grips the .lower section of the band and also out of line offtravel of the cutters that later move forwardly to sever the band ends. Thus, both ends of the band, as wrapped about the bundle, are securely held across the underside of the platen.

At the same time that shaft 15 starts its rotative operation for actuating the pilot slide |20 and jaw of gripper G2 to functional positions the shaft 18 starts rotation, and thus in proper sequence actuates the levers |30 carrying the welding contacts to bring the presser points and then the contacts momentarily againstthe overlapped parts of the band, thus to weld them together; the contacts by reason of advance setting of one cam |52 relative to the other, successively engage the band so that overheating of the platen is avoided.

Immediately following the welding operation the carriage 93 is actuated forwardly as from the position shown in Fig. 22 to that of Fig. 23 and thereby causes the cutters to sever the band S at the inside of each gripper, thus freeing the bundle from the grippers. Y As the carriage'comes forwardly for this band cutting operation, the stripper hook |82 yields beneath the welded sections of the band and then when the carriage retracts, the hook pulls the band from beneath the anvil to free the bundle for removal from the machine. At the same time the jaw 9| of gripper G is drawn out-v wardly to open the gripper, but the jaw 9| of vgripper G2 remains extended so that that end of the band is held for the next wrapping operation. Each wrapping operation is terminated by reason of a cam on wheel 6| acting on trip dog 58 to release the clutch 26 and thus stop the same.

For vthe next wrapping operation, the ring gear R rotates in a counterclockwise direction, starting from the position of Fig. 23, and finishes with the band being held also by gripper G.

While I have illustrated the present machine as being adapted to the welding of a fiat metallic band about the bundle, it is to be understood that it is just as well suited to welding of a wire since it would require only a slight alteration in the shape of the grooves of the guide rolls and sheaves which carry the wire and slight alteration or change in the grippers. 'I'he wire band W, when drawn across the platen in the`same manner and by the same means provided by the band, would assume the superposed relationship shown in Fig. 24; it being understood that the gripper jaws would be constructed so that when gripped onto the wire they will hold these overlapped strands in that position ready for the welding operation. Then, as soon as the welding was completed and the bundle released from the machine, the tension in the wire bandwould cause the lapped portions of the joint to flatten against the underside of the bundle, as shown in Fig. 25.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is l. In a bundle wrapping machine having a reversible means for wrapping a band abouta bundle for each direction of movement; a rotatable gripper and a mounting therefor adapted. to receive the band therein unbent at the end of a wrapping operationvin one direction and to rotate in its mounting to prevent bending this end of the band when drawn by the Wrapping means in the reverse direction. l

2. In a bundle binding machine, means for wrapping a band in one direction about an object, a gripper operable to grip the band at the end of the wrapping operation, a mounting for the gripper and means for causing the band subsequently to be wrapped in the reverse direction; said gripper being movable in its mounting thereby to avoid the secured end of the band being bent about the gripper incident to its reverse wrapping. Y

3'. In a bundle binding machine, means for wrapping a band in one direction about an object, a gripper comprising complemental parts engageable with the band to grip it at the end of a wrapping operation, a mounting for the gripper and means for causing the band subsequently to be wrapped in the reverse direction; said gripper parts being revoluble in the mounting to permit movement that will prevent the end portion of the band held therein being bent thereover incident to its reverse wrapping.

4. In a bundle binding machine, a bundle supporting means, a pair of grippers at one side of said support, means for actuating the grippers between open and closed positions, means for wrapping a metallic band, secured at its end in one gripper, about the bundle to cause opposite end portions to be overlapped between the grippers, means for closing the second gripper against the overlapped portion of the band, means forl joining the overlapping portions, means for severing the band between the joint and grippers, means for opening the rst gripper and means for causing a subsequent wrapping operation to be completed in a reverse direction; said grippers each being axially revoluble thereby to prevent the secured end of the band being bent about its gripper incident to a wrapping operation.

.5. In a bundle binding machine including a platen across which a bundle is located and means reversible for successive operations whereby, for each direction of wrapping, a band may be wrapped about the bundle and its ends disposed in overlapped relation across the platen; rotatable grippcrs and mountings therefor at opposite sides of the platen; said grippers being arranged alternately to receive and grip the end of a band without bending it and adapted to rotate in their mountings to prevent bending of the gripped end of a band when the band is drawn by the wrapping means in the `reverse direction.

6. In a bundle binding machine,` means for supporting a bundle, a platen at one side of the buncally mcvable means adapted to functionally engage the lioined portions of the band to strip the bundle securing band from the platen.

7. Ina bundle binding machine including a platen across which a bundle may be located, reversible means whereby a band may be wrapped, for each direction of travel, about the bundle and its ends disposed in overlapped relation across the platen; rotatable grippers and mountings therefor at opposite sides of the platen; said grippers being arranged alternately to receive and grip the end of the band without bending it, at the end of successive wrapping operations, and being rotatable in their mountings under pull applied to` the bandby the wrapping to accommodate the band without bending it incident to at reversal in direction of the wrapping means, means for welding the overlapped ends of the band together, and a reciprocating slide with cutters thereon adapted to sever` the ends of the band at opposite sides of the Aweld.

8. In a bundle binding machine including a platen across which a bundle is located and reversible means whereby a band may be wrapped, for each direction Aof the said means, about a bundle and its ends disposedin overlapped relation across the platen, rotatable grippers and mountings therefor at opposite sides of the platen to receive and grip the ends of the band and i alternately serving for successive wrapping operations to anchor the initial end of the band, each gripper being adapted to receive the secondary end of the band therein without bending, and rotatably mounted to` accommodate .the band without bending it upon reversal of direction of the wrapping means, vmeans for welding the overlapped ends oi the band together, a reciprocating slide with cutters thereon adapted to sever the ends of the band at opposite sides of the weld, and a hook mounted on the slide to pass beneath the band during the cutting yoperation and to engage the band on retraction of the slide to strip the band from the platen.

9. In a device of the character described, a band gripper comprising complementa] parts adjustable into spaced relation for the reception between them oI a bundle wrapping band, one of said parts having a transverse slot opening to the end thereof within which the band will be received when the parts are moved together, and

y vthe other part being adapted to engage the band 11. In a device of the character described, a

'band grippercomprising .relatively iixed and movable complemental parts adapted to be adjustably spaced to receive a flat band edgewise between them, one of said parts having a tapered notch at its end leading into a narrow transverse slot into which the said band will be pushed by adjustment of the two parts together; the second part having sharpened opposite edge portions between which the end of the complemental part will be received and which will bite into the edge of the band to hold it against longitudinal slip- Page in the slot.

12. In a bundle binding machine, the combination with 'reversible means for wrapping a binding strip about a bundle, of a gripper comprising complemental parts in coaxial alinement, means for moving said parts into spaced relation to receive the end of the band between them at the end of a wrapping operation in one direction, and for closing them together to grip the band between them for wrapping in the reverse direction; said parts of the gripper being revoluble about their axes to accommodate the band without bending to the reverse direction of wrapping.

13. In a machine of, the character described, the combination with means for passing a fiat band about a bundle, of a gripper comprising an anvil portion having a V-shaped notch opening to the end thereof, and a jaw portion tapered atv its end to t within the notch, and formed also with a V-shaped notch transversely of the direction of the rst notch and leading into a slot opening transversely through the jaw, means for moving the jaw away from the anvil to receive the bundle tying band between them, means for actuating the jaw toward the anvil to cause the band to be guided by the V-shaped notch intothe said slot and to be held securely therein by pressure of the anvil thereagainst; said anvil and -iaw being coaxially revoluble in their supports and automatically 'adjustable' to accommodate the direction of extension of the band therefrom.

14. In a machine of the character described, a band gripper comprising a jaw having a transverse slot opening to the end thereof within which the end of a band may be secured by shifting the :law from open to closed position, means for severing the band adjacent the gripper while held therein, means for adjusting the jaw to open position and means operable incident to this adlustment to eject the severed end portion of the band from the slot.

15. In a machine of the character described, a guideway, a gripper jaw longitudinally movable in the guideway having an end slot arranged to receive a bundle tying band therein by an endwise closing adjustment of the jaw toward the band and an ejector rod, fixed against movement, contained within the jaw and on which the jaw is slidably movable and whereby the band will be engaged and thereby ejected from the slot when the jaw is adjusted to an open position.

16. In a machine of. the character described, in combination, bundle supporting means, a platen, means for passing a band about the bundle and overlapping its ends across the platen, means coacting with the platen for welding said overlapped portions of the band together, a reciprocally movable slide, band cutters on the slide adapted on its forward movement to sever the band between the grippers and weld, and a means movable with the slide engageable with the welded band as the slide moves in the opposite direction thereby to strip the band from the platen.

17. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means for supporting a bundle, a platen, a carrier for passing a band about the bundle to overlap portions thereof across the platen, means coacting with the platen for welding said overlapped portions together to secure the band about the bundle, a reciprocally movable slide, a pair of band cutters on the slide, a hook on the slide, a driving means for the carrier and means synchronized therewith and operable after the wrapping and welding operation to reciprocate the slide thereby. to cause the cutters to sever the ends of the band at opposite sides of the weld and the hook to engage and strip the band from the platen after it has been severed.

18. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a bundle supporting means, a platen, a band gripper at opposite sides of the platen, means for passing a band, held in one gripper, about the bundle and twice across the platen, means for causing the band then to be gripped by the second gripper, means operable incident to the completion oi' the wrapping operation to coact with the platen to weld the overlapped parts together, a. reciprocally movable slide, a cutter on the slide adapted, when the slide moves inwardly, to cut the band between the second gripper and the weld, means movable in advance of the cutter to lift the bundle securing portions of the band clear of the path of the cutter and means movable with the slide operable as the slide moves outwardly to strip the band from the platen.

19. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means for passing a band about a bundle and to dispose its opposite ends in overlapped relation, grippers for holding the ends of the band, means for welding the overlapped portions of the band together, a reciprocally movable slide, cutters on the slide for severing the ends of the band between the grippers and the weld, a rack associated with the slide, a gear lmeshing with the rack, a cam shaft, and a cam on the shaft operable to actuate the gear to effect reciprocationof the slide.

20. In a machine of the character described, in combination, means for passing a band about a bundle to bring opposite ends thereon into overlapped relation, grippers for engaging the ends of the band, means for welding the overlapped portions of band together, a reciprocally movable slide, cutters on the slide for severing the band ends 4at opposite sides of the weld, a revoluble cam shaft, cams on the shaft, and means actuated by the cams for actuating the slide and for actuating the grippers between open and closed positions.

21. In a machine of the character described, inv combination, with means for Wrapping a bindingV band about a bundle to bring opposite ends thereof into overlapped relation, means for welding the overlapped ends together, grippers for holding the ends of the band prior to welding, a reciprocally mounted slide, a rack on the slide, reciprocally movable means for opening and closing the grippers, a rotatably driven cam shaft, a cam on the shaft for alternately actuating the grippers between open and closed positions, a gear segment meshing with the rack, and a cam on the cam shaft for actuating the gear segment to reciprocate the slide and cutters on the slide for severing the ends of the band at opposite sides of the weld.

22. A device, as in claim 21, wherein means is movable in advance of the cutters to lift the bundle securing portion of the band clear of the path of said cutters.

u23. In a bundle binding machine having a bundle support, a welding anvil and a rotatable carrier for passing a metallic band about a bundle on said support and twice across the welding anvil to bring opposite end portions of the band into overlapped relation across the anvil, means at one side of the anvil for holding the primary end of the band, an open gripper at the opposite side of the anvil within which the band is dis- 

